Wetter



Feb. 19 1924., 1,484,236

F. RAUCHWETTER TRANSFER mmcmmxsm FOR CALCULATING m0 HINES File y 19.1921 S Sheets-Sheet 1 W/fnessas Feb. 19 1924. 1,484,236

F. RAUCHWETTER TRANSFER maczmnxsm FOR CALCULATING MACHINES F le y 19.1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jnvemar: -M

Rttorney.

m'fncss cs Feb. 19 1924. 1,484,236

' F. RAUCHWETTER 'ramswm macrmmsu FOR CALCULATING MACHINES Filed 19.1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jnventar: M44 5.

nitcv'n y mlness es counter, without a transfer taking Patented Feb. 19,1924.

UNITED STATES TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR CALCULATING MACHINES.

Application filed May 19,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that FRANZ RAUCHWETTER, deceased,late a citizen of the German Republic, and residing at Berlin,Friedenau, Germany, has invented certain new and useful Improvements inTransfer Mechanism for Calculating Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to calculating machines of the type, in which thecounter is raised and lowered in order to bring the gear wheels of thesaid counter out of, or into, engagement with the toothed gearingactuating sectors or the like, operated from the key board or equivalentpart of the machine.

A calculating machine of this kind is described and shown in the UnitedStates patent-specification No. 1,239,622. There the racks of thetransfer-mechanism are lifted and lowered.

The present invention now relates to the provision of a novel kind of atens transfer mechanism in calculating machines of a similar type, thearrangement being such that the counting mechanism, by lowering it, ismade to engage racks of the transfermechanism, whereas by lifting thecounting mechanism this latter is disengaged from those racks.

It has been found in practice that with calculating machines of the typementioned in the first paragraph after the preamble in general and inthe second paragraph in particular, more especially when they are drivenmechanically, for instance by an electric motor, there is a tendency forinaccuracies to be causeddue to the momentum of the parts.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide means inconnection with the transfer mechanism, for ensuring the accurateWorking of the machine, whether simple numbers are being transmitted tothe place, or from one when a'transfer is taking place through numericalplace to the next, or several numerical places.

To prevent .overrunning of the counting mechanism, it has already beenproposed to utilize the racks for preventing overrunning as drivingelements for carrying through the operation of the transfer mechanism.

1921. Serial N0. 471,014.

It has also been proposed to so construct the operating and transferdevices of a totalizing counter that the counter is in engagement withone or other of the said devices at all periods of operation.

he characteristic feature of the invention consists in connectingto thearms or levers supporting the counter mechanism, the racks which on theone hand operate the transfer and on the other hand lock the toothedwheel from overrunning, so that on lowering or raising the counter theengagement or disengagement as the case may be of the locking ortransfer racks with the wheels of the counter is effected.

Other features of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdescription .In order that our said invention may be more clearlyunderstood, we will now proceed to describe the same with reference tothe accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example, one method ofcarrying it into practical effect.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the actuating gear of the counter in aposition just before the transfer takes place.

ig. 2 is a corresponding front elevation.

Fig. 3 is'a side elevation showing the position of the parts ready forthe transfer, that is to say with the transfer lever set into position.

Fig. 4: is a side elevation showing the ppsition just after the transferhas taken p ace.

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 show the mechanism for restoring the locking racks totheir original position.

In Figs. discs of the 1 and 2, 1 represents the number counter, providedwith the numbers 09. These number discs are driven in a well knownmanner by toothed gearing 2, 2 for each numerical unit, 2 denoting thegearing for addition, and 2 the gearing for subtraction. 3 is the corresponding actuating sector, operated from t e key board or the like andadapted to drive the counter gearing in the positive direction foraddition or in the negative direction for subtraction whenever thegearing of the counter is engaged with the ac tuating sector 3, by thelowering of the said counter, as illustrated at Fig. 3.

Each of the number discs is provided with a pin 4: of the usualdescription for effecting the transfer, which co-operates with thetransfer lever 6 pivotally mounted at 5.

For this purpose the transfer lever 6 is provided with a V shapedprojection 7 which projects into the path of the pin 1, in

such a way that when the number disc 1 is turned in the direction foradding, that is in the direction indicated by the arrow 8, the uppersurface of the V is pushed aside by the pin 4:, while when the disc ismoved in the direction of the arrow 9, the direction for subtraction,the lower edge of the V shaped projection 7 is operated by the pin.

In its normal position, as shown at Fig. 1, the lever 6 is held inposition by means of a bent lever 11 pivotally mounted at 10 andconnected to the lever 6 by a spring 12. This is effected by the forwardedge of the lever 6 coming against a projection 13 of the bent lever 11.As soon as the pin 1 (Fig. 3) has passed the V shaped projection 7 andhas pushed the lever 6 outwards, the said lever is locked in thisposition by a projection 1 1 on the lever 6 coming against a shoulder 15on the bent lever 11, as shown at Fig. 3. In this position the lever 6is ready for'the transfer.

For locking the counter discs during the time when the gearing foroperating these discs is out of engagement with the actuating segments3, locking racks 16, and 16 are provided. In the preferred embodimentthese are formed as a double rack for each unit of the countingmechanism. One of these racks, in the adding position engages the gear 2for subtraction in the counter, while the other at the same time isdisengaged, see Fig. 2. In the position of the counter for subtraction,on the other hand, the racl: 16 engages the adding gear 2, while therack 16 is disengaged from the subtraction gear 2 it will be understoodthat the counter is so constructed and mounted in a well known mannerthat to alter from addition to subtraction, it is simply necessary toshift it aterally. The toothed rack, on the other hand, cannot be movedlaterally.

The toothed sector for transmitting individual numbers from the keyboard or setting mechanism is located between the looking racks 16 and16? and, in the position for addition, engages the gearing 2 of thecounter, while in the position for subtraction it engages the gear 2 Aslong as the rack 16 is inengagement with the gearing 2 of the counter,no rotation of the same can be effected, in fact the counter mechanismis locked immovably in position by this rack.

2% is a. bent lever, pivotally mounted at 23, and 25 is a tensionspring, which tends to press the end of the lever 2+1 against arejection 21 on a spring controlled arm 21. Vfhen the arm 21 is pressedoutwards,

as hereinafter fully explained, the for the bent lever 24: falls away,so lever can swin outwards until it comes against a second projection 26of the bent lever 21.

As however the toothed racks 16 are hinged to the upper or vertical armof the bent lever 2a, they are pushed forward through a divisioncorresponding to one figure plate on the number disc of the counter, andin the opposite direction to the movement of the toothed sector 3, whentransmitting a number from the setting mechanism As however in theposition for addition the toothed rack 16 engages the subtraction gear 2of the counter, the transfer mechanism is moved through the toothed rack16, which has been moved through a distance corresponding to onenumerical place in the opposite direction to the toothed sector 3, butin the correct direction when carried over to the counting discs.

It is to be understood that the arrangement is such that the transferlever 6 operates the neighbouring gear for the arm 21 of the nextfollowing numerical unit, so that the carrying over of a ten from aprevious numerical place to the next numerical place is effected.

It will be readily understood that the necessity for effecting atransfer from one numerical place to the next (higher or lower dependingon whether addition or subtraction is being carried out) can arise fromtwo causes.

In the first case the sector 3 with the counter in the lowered positiontransmits such a number that the counter wheel 1 in the same numericalplace passes from 9 to 0 or O to 9. This posit-ion is illustrated inFig. 3, from which it will be seen that the lower end 19 (somewhat hookshaped) of the lever 6 has been brought beneath the projecting pin 20 onthe lever 21. When the counter is next raised, as the rack 16 or 16comes into engagement with the counter gear (the sector 3 beingdisengaged) the end 19 will cause the lever 21 to swing outwardlyagainst the action of its spring 22 and allow the lever 24 to swingdownwards moving its rack 16, 16 forwards by the distance of one toothi. e. one figure on the counter wheel, thus effecting the transfer.

The second case for transfer arises when the counter is approaching orin the upper or raised position and owing to a transfer (similar to thatjust, described) one or more of the counter wheels must pass from 9 toOor O to 9. Such a position is shown in Fig. 1. Assuming that the pin 4is moving in the direction of the arrow 8, then the lever 6 will beforced outwards and the flat por- "tion of the end-19, will press on thepin '20 and operate the levers 21 and 24, and the racks 16, 16 asdescribed for the first case support that this of transfer. This actiontakes place successively for all the counter wheels which must pass fromt) to 0 or 0 to 9. 1

After the first case of transfer has been effected however it isnecessany to bring the levers 6 and 11 back to their original position,so that the V shaped projection 7 comes again into the path of the pin4, so that a fresh transfer can be carried through. The return of theseparts is effected during the last phase of the raising of the counter bymeans of the fixed axle 27 which is located in a slot 28 of the countercasing. The lever 11 just at the end of the upward movement comesagainst this fixed axle 27 and as a result it is pushed downwards, sothat the projection 14 on the lever 6 is removed from the rear surface15 or shoulder on the. lever 11. In this way the locking between thelevers 6 and 11 is released and they re.- turn under the pull of thespring 12 into the positions shown at Figs. 1 and 4, that is to theinitial position.

In the second case of transfer considered the levers 6 spring back totheir original position after the pin 4 has passed, owing to the factthat the lever 11 is held in the lowered position by the fixed axle 27.

Just as the levers 6 and 11 have to be brought back to their originalpositions, so also must the racks 16, and 16 together with theiroperating levers be brought back to their ori inal positions. This iseffected not during the last phase of-the raising of the counter, butduring the next succeeding operation for transmitting a number, and itis effected from a rail 29. This is seen in its normal position at Fig.1 and in Fig. 3 in a position in which it has been swung as far aspossible to the left. In this latter position it has brought back theracks 16 or 16 which at this moment through the sinking of the counterhave come out of engagement with the ear 2 or 2 into the originalposition by stri ing against a turned up end 30 of the lever 24 andcarrying this lever with it, to its former position.

The rail 29 is operated in the following manner, as will be understoodfrom Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

Referring to Fig. 5, which shows the normal position, in which thecounter gear is locked to the rack 16 and 16 the toothed sector 3 is inthat figure in its initial position. The locking rail 29 is carriedbetween lever arms 31, which swing upon a spindle 32. \Vhen the lever 31swings backwards in the direction of the arrow 33, in Fig. 5, the bail2!) comes against the projection 3 as already described. The backwardmovcment of the lever 31 in the lowered position of the rack 16. inwhich this latter is disengaged from the gears 2, 2 of the counter-' andtherefore can be moved freely is effector from the machine crank bymeans of a con- Fig. 5, the lever 38 swings over 'the cross piece 37,which necting rod 34, actuated thereby, which also actuates the sector 3as about to be de scribed. The rod 34 is connected to a lever 36 pivotedat 35 and having a transverse member 37 upon which the arms 38 of thetoothed sector 3 rest under the pull of a spring.

'hen therefore the connecting rod is moved in the direction of the arrow39in and with it latter is moved downwards. fore unsupported, and underthe influence of its spring moves also, so that all the sectors comeinto the position permitted by their differential mechanism, ready foroperation,-

see Fig. 6, where a sector is shown dotted. set for transmitting amaximum movement. At the same time, the lever 36 is provided with a pin40, which works in a long slot 41, in a connecting bar 42, connected toa pin 43' in another connecting bar 44. This latter bar 44 embraces thepin 45 of an arm of the bent lever 31.

By the connecting bars 42 of toggle mechanism is pins 45 and 40.

The su porting of these knee-like joints in the 'loc ing position of theracks 16, 16 is effected by projecting rollers or pins 46, provided onthe lever 6.

s long as the counter is in the raised position and the toothed racks16, 16 are still in engagement with the toothed pinions of the counter,the parts 42 and 44 are at an angle to one other (the dotted position).lVhen however the counter is lowered the rollers 46 are lowered wherebythe members 42 and 44 lose their means of support and go over into theextended position, under the pull of the spring 47. In this positionthey remain while the return of the lever 38 is taking place. which iseffected by means of the sliding rod 34. By the return of the lever 38,the toothed sector 3 is brought back into its initial position. At thesame time however the parts 42 and 44 which are in the extended position(at Fig. 7) are caused to move by the pin 40 reaching the upper end ofthe slot 41, the result being that through the pin 45 the bent lever 31and with it the rail 29 is swung and 44, a kind formed between theoutwards, that is to say the racks 16, or 16 The toothed sector 3 isthere tion, after which the items eventually to be transmitted to thecounter are set on the keys, causing the differential mechanismconnected thereto, to take up the desired positions to limit themovements of their sectors 3. when they are freed subsequently, by thedownward movement of the transverse member 37. lhe machine crank is nowoperated causing first the transverse member 3T to be lowered releasingthe sector I) and allowing them to take up their ditl'erentiatedpositions: the parts are so proportioned and mounted that the counter isnow lowered, bringing the counter gears into engagement with the sectors3 and causing the racks l6, 16 which have been in engagement with thecounter gears to be brought out of engagement. Upon continuing theoperation of the crank the transverse member 37 is raised. In its upwardmovement it comes into contact with the tails of all the sectors 8 andturns the sectors. As these are "in gear with the counter gears, theytransmit to the counter the items on the keys. To ards the end of thisupward movement of the member 37. the toggle mechanism 10, 42. 44 causesthe rail 29 to bring any racks 16. 16 which may be in the forwardposition. back to the original position as previously explained, itbeing remembered. that the racks are free and not in engagement with thecounter gears. Should any of the counter wheels ass from 9 to 0 or 0 to9. as the case may be, the lever (5 is operated as previously explainedin the first case ot transfer. Upon the final portion ot' the operationof the machine crank taking place, the counter is raised. This aspreviously explained ettects any transfer the levers 6 for which havebeen set in position and any consequent transfers which may arise.

I claim:

1. 'l ranster-mechanism for calculating machines. comprising. incombination; a switching-gear having toothed segments: a countingmechanism adapted to be litted and lowered and having its cog-wheels intheir lower position mesh with said segments; racks located below saidcog-wheels; coaxial pivots supporting said racks at their one end:bell-crank levers supported upon pivots of the machine trame andsupporting in their turn said coaxial pivots; supporting levers for saidcounting mechanism: and a common supporting rail coupled with the saidracks at their other ends and being adapted to litt and lower them.substantially as described.

Transter-mechanism for calculating machines. comprising. in combination:a switching-gear having toothed segments: a counting niecnanism adaptedto be litted and lowered and having its cog-wheels in their "lowerposition mesh with said segt-oupled with the ,pivots of the machinements; a plurality of pairs of racks of which each pair is located belowa counting place of the counting mechanism, one of said toothed segmentsextending between the two members of the co-ordinate pair of racks:coaxial pivots supporting said racks at their one end; bell-cranklevers'supported upon pivots ot the machine frame and supporting intheir turn said coaxial pivots; supporting levers for said countingmecha nism: and a common supporting rail said racks at their other endsand being adapted to lift and lower them. substantially as described.

3. Transter-mechanism for 'alculating machines. comprising. incombination. a switching-gear having toothed segments; a countingmechanism adapted to be lifted and lowered and having its cog-wheels intheir lower position mesh with said segments: racks located below saidcog-wheels; coaxial pivots supporting said 'acks at their one end;bell-crank levers supported upon frame and support ing in their turnsaid coaxial pivots: other levers supported upon pivots oi the switchingmechanism and supporting in their turn said bell-crank levers:double-levers supported upon pivots of the counting mechanism and havinglower arms adapted to bear against the levers supported by the switchingmechanism; disks forming members of the eountingmechanisin;and pinsallixed to these. disks and being adapted to switch said double-levers;tensioning springs engaging the said bell-crank levers and being adaptedto turn them automatically; supporting levers for said countingmechanism; and a common supporting rail coupled with the said racks attheir other ends and being adapted to lift and lower them, substantiallyas described.

Transfer-mechanism for calculating machines, comprising. in combination;aswitching-gear having toothed segments; a counting mechanism adapted tobe lifted and lowered and having its cog-wheels in their lower positionmesh with said segments; racks located below said cog-wheels; coaxialpivots supporting said racks at their one end; bellcraul: leverssupported upon pivots of the machine frame and supporting in their turnsaid coaxial pivots; other levers supported upon pivots ot the switchingmechanism and supporting in their turn said bell-crank levers:double-levers supported upon pivots of the counting mecha nism: otherbell-crank levers also supported by pivots ot the counting mechanism.and tensioning springs connecting the lower arm of these levers withsaid double-levers; laterally projecting lugs at said doublelevers:other lugs provided upon the horizontal arms or said bell-crank leversand being adapted to cooperate with the first llt) mentioned lugs; and astationary railaffixed to the machine frame above said horizontal arms,for the purpose as described.

5. Transfer-mechanism for calculating machines, comprising, incombination; a switching-gear having toothed segments; a countingmechanism adapted to be lifted and lowered and having its cog-wheels intheir lower position mesh with said segments; racks located below saidcog-wheels; coaxial pivots supporting said racks at their one end;bell-crank levers supported upon pivots of the machine frame andsupporting in their turn said coaxial pivots; lugs at the upper arms ofsaid bell-crank levers; and a rocking rail supported in the switchingmechanism and being adapted to move all said bell-crank levers back intotheir normal position, substantially as described. 6.'lransfer-niechanism for calculating machines, comprising, incombination; a switching-gear having toothed segments; a countingmechanism adapted to be lifted and lowered and having its cog-wheels intheir lower position mesh with said segments; racks located below saidcog-wheels; coaxial pivots supporting said racks at their one end;bell-crank levers supported upon pivots of the machine frame andsupporting in their turn said coaxial pivots; levers supported by pivotsof the switching mechanism; a railsupported by these levers and beingadapted to co-operate with said lugs; a mechanism adapted to switchthese levers, said mechanism consisting of a push-bar, a lever supportedby a pivot of the machine frame, a pin at this lever, a guide-bar havinga slot receiving said pin, and a rod connecting said guide-bar with therailsupporting lever. substantially and for the purpose as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

Frau ANNA RAUCHWETTER, Geb BGHME, i-ldminiatrafrim of Franz Rauchwetter,Deceased.

\Vitnesses Hanan-xxx REISING, VALDEMAR Imsrxsm.

